Switch-operating mechanism.



H. W. CHENEY.

SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLIOATION FILED APR. 3, 1909.

Patented Feb. 4, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

. H. W. CHENEY.

SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 3, 1909.

Patented Feb. 4, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

H. W. CHENEY.

SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM.

' APPLIUATION FILED APR.3, 1909. 1,052,409, Patented Feb. 4, 1913.

s Saudis- 112M a.

in 58 l: a llii ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

nEnEEErw. CHENEY, or MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, assrcnon ToALLIs-cHALMEns COMPANY, A CORPORATION on NEW JERSEY.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, HERBERT a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Milwaukee, in the-county of Milwaukee and State of Visconsin, have invented certain new. and useful Improvements in Switch- Operat-ing Mechanisms, of which the f0llowing is a full, clear, and exact specificavision of an efi'ectiveand reliable switch Operating mechanism which is compact and The particular simple in construction, which will permit the switch to be closed or opened'manually, .or to be opened automatically independently ofany movement of the switch handle so that it will be impossible for the opera tor to hold the switch closed by "retaining the handle in its on or closed position during the continuance of an abnormal line condition, such as an overload.

operating which- I have shown in the accompanying drawings and which will be describedpresent-ly, includes two rotary shafts, one of which is connected to the operating handle and the .other of which extends to and op erates the movable contact member or members ofcthe switch, the two shafts being adapted to be moved in unison or independently, depending upon whether or not the parts. of the coupling means are in driving engagement. Some of the features of my present, invention, however, are not limited to anoperating mechanism of this particular type, and may, with slight modifications which'I consider within the scope of my invent-ion,-be adapted to switches and ,operating-YInechan-isms quite different in form and principle from those here shown.

Myf invention may be briefly summarized as ,consisting in certain novel details (:f "construction and combinations and arrangements'of parts which will be described in Specification of Letters Patent.

V. CHnisEY,

mechanism" hold the latter in its on or off SWITCH-QPERATING MECHANISM.

. Patented Feb.4. 1913.

Application filed April 3, 1909. Serial No. 487,731.

view substantially along the line 3 3 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow; Fig. 4 is a view of a portion.

of the operating mechanism viewed as in Fig. 2, and showing the relative positions of certain parts particularly of the separable driving connection, when the switch has been opened automatically; and Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the parts of the connect-ion rengaged orthe driving connection restored so that the switchcan be closed by a movement of the operating handle.

Referring now to the figures of the drawing, 10 represents the switch-board panel on the front of which is the operating handle 11, and on the rear of which is secured a switch 12 and certain parts of the operating mechanism to be described.

Secured to the front and rear of the panelrespectively by means of screws or bolts 14- are two cast metal plates 15 and 16, the former of which. is preferably notched and cooperates with the handle to 051- tions, and the latter of which holds and supports part of theoperating mechanism. The plate 16 has a tubular flange 17 which projects forwardly through the .panel and through the plate 15 as shown in Fig. 3, and forms a bearing for a hollow shaft 17 which projects forwardly beyond the plate 15 and rearwardlv beyond the plate 16.

To the forward end of the hollow shaft 17 is secured the handle 11 which. consists of two main parts 11 and 11", the former surrounding and being securedto the end of the shaft- 17 by means of a screw118, and the latter being pivoted to theportion 11 by means of a transverse pin 19. I The portion 11 of the handle is pres'sedyieldingly forward toward the plate 15 by means of a leaf spring 20 and provided vs h a tongue or projection 21 which is adapted to co operate with certain notches on the plate 15. To the rear end of the hollow shaft 17 is secured by means of a screw or pin 22, a hub 23-, having an integral crank arm 24 and a shorter arm 24 at substantially right angles to the arm 24. This arm 24 forms part of the separable connection or coupler to be explained .more fully presently.

The switch 12, a portion of which is shown in Fig. 1, includes a cast metal frame 25 which is secured to the plate 16 and to the panel by arms 26 and 26, said frame forming an oil receptacle and being provided with a removable cover 25. in the upper portion of this frame or inclosure 25 is a horizontal rotary shaft 27, the axis of which coincides with theaxis of the hollow shaft 17, and which, in this case extends through and is journaled in the hollow shaft 17, the forward end of the shaft 27 in this case extending beyond the end of the shaft 17 and having secured thereto a retaining collar 28. The shaft 27 may be employed for operating any suitable switch and may convey any desired movement to the movable contacts of the switch, but in this case it is designed to shift a plurality of ing means and is designed to be shifted upwardly so as to open the switch with a quick movement by means of springs 33, one of which is showrrin Fig. 1.

Secured to the shaft 27 adjacent to the crank'arm 24 is a crank arm 34- in the form of the segment of a circle and having at its outer are shaped end 34 and near one corner thereof a rounded notch 35 which is preferably slightly larger than a half cirole and has an inclined portion 35. Pivotally connected to the outer end of the crank arm 24 and extending in the plane of and over the segment 34 is an arm '36 which is hollowed out or recessed on its under side and is provided between the downwardly projecting sides formed by the recess, with a roller 37 which is mounted upon a pin 38 projecting transversely through the sides of the arm 36 and extending a suitable distance beyond the latter toward the switch-board.

'This roller is of a size such that it will readmeans of a coil spring 39 which is connected to the end of pin 38 and to the free end of the arm 24, which, as stated before, extends Mounted is integral.

lVhen the roller is the full distance in the notch 35, a driving connection is formed between the hollow shaft 17 and the shaft 27 no matter in what directionthe switch handle is moved. \Vhen the switch is opened automatically in a manner to be explained presently, theparts of the coupler or donnecting means occupy substantially the positions shown in Fig. 4, that is, the segment is turned relative to the roller 37 through a suitable arc, the turning of the segment being due to the rotation of the shaft 27 incident to the opening of the switch. The roller now bears against the are shaped portion of the segment. To close the switch the handle is thrown from one extreme posrtion to the other so as to cause the arms 24 and 36 to be turned in a proper direction until the roller 37 again drops into the notch 35, parts being then in the position shown in Fig. 5. lVhen the switch handle is thrown in theopposite direction, the arms 24 and 36 and the segment 34 will be turned simultanepusly, the driving connection now be- 'ing formed, and the switch can be closed.

In order that the segment 34 may be readily relea ed or separated from the arm 36 to effect the opening of the switch, I provide in the path of the arm 36 a projection which, at th. final closing movement of the handle, ul' just as the switch is being closed, is engaged by the end of the arm 36 and causes a slight relative movement between the latter and the segment 34, the movement of the arm 36 being sufficient to lift the roller partially from the notch 35 or until. it rests upon or engages the inclined portion 35 of the notch. When the parts are in this position, the engaging parts of the coupler are biased toward entire disengagement but are normally prevented from relative separation by means to be described. The projection referred to consists in this case of an adj ustable screw 40 mounted in :1 lug 41 project'- ing rearwardly from the plate 16.

To hold the parts in the position just. described, and in order that the switch maybe opened manually or automatically, provide the following mechanism: Pivoted u on a pin 42 extending laterally from the p ate 16 is a bell crank latch or trigger 43, having an arm 44, the lower end of which is held by a coiled spring 45 a short distance above the head of the screw 40 in position such that it will be engaged by the end of the arm 36 as the latter is moved upwardly after engagement with the head of the screw 40 and as the roller 37 engages the inclined portion 35 of the notch. that the switch cannot now be opened until either the arm 44- has been rocked out of engagement with the arm 36, or until the latter has been moved by a manual operation j It will'be seen eas es I 3 of the switch handle out of engagement with the arm 44. The bell crank lever 43 also includes an arm 45 which is connected by a link 46 to one end of a small lever 47 piv ot 'ally mounted upon the frame 48 of a tripping magnet 49. The magnet is provided with an armature50 which is normally held in the lowermost position by a support 51, and which, when an overload occurs in the main circuit, will be drawn upwardly so as to strike a hammer Q which-is directly below 'oneend of the lever 47 and will rock said lever 47 so as to cause-the link 46 to move the arm 44 of the bell crank 43 out of engagement with the end of arm 36; As

soon as these parts are disengaged, the mem-- ;bers whichtend to open the switch, in this case the springs 33, cause the segment to force the roller upwardly entirely out of the notch or off of the inclined portion thereof( The segment is then quickly turned to the position shown in Fig. 4 by the opening movement of the switch. The opening 'of the switch may be effected manually or rather the arm 36 may be manually disen- 'gaged from the arm 44 of the bell crank latch by shifting the switch handle and after thistakes'place the segment and the roller 37 are disengaged and the switch is opened with a quick movement, by the springs as just described.

What-I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In combination with a switch, an operating mechanism comprising a handle and a coupler' through which said handle may operate the switch, said coupler comprising two concentrically arranged parts =v'vh:ichare connected together in driving engageo ment until the switch is tripped, and means forcausing a slight'relative movement between said parts' of the coupler during the movement of the handle, so that after the switch is closed said parts are biased to- 45 ward separation.

2. In combination with a switch, an operating mechanism comprising a handle and a coupler through which said handle may operate the switch, said coupler comprising i I so two concentrically arranged parts which are connected together in driving engagement until the switch is tripped, means for causing a slight relative'movemeut between said parts of the coupler during the final closing movement of the handle so that said parts are biased toward separation after the switch is closed, and means for normally preventing the separation of said parts.

3."lln combination with a switch, an opereoating mechanism comprising a handle and -a connection through which said handle may operate the switch, said connection comprising two rotatably mounted parts which are in driving engagement until the switch is "tripped, means for causing a slight relative one of the parts of the coupler to be moved movement between. said parts of the coupler during the final closing movement of the handle so that said parts are biasecLtOward' separation after the switch is closed,-and a latch for normally preventing the separation of said part-s. r

4. In combination with a switch, an oper ating mechanism comprising two members, one connected'to thehandle, and the other to the switch, and a coupler between said members, said coupler comprising two rotatably mounted parts which are connected together when the switch is closed by a movement of the handle, means for causing to a position such that it tends to move out of engagement with tl e other part of the coupler, and means for normally preventing disengagement between said parts.

5. In combination with a switch, an operating mechanism comprising a handle ad a separable coupler through which said handle may operate the switch, said coupler comprising two rotatably mounted parts, onehaving an open notch and the other a projection which engages said notch while the switch is being closed. and means for causing a slight relative movement between said projection and the part having a notch so that said parts'tend to separate, said'relative movement taking place during the final movement of the switch handle.

6. In combination in a switch operating mechanism, an operating handle, two concentrically arranged members, one connected to the handle and adapted to shift the other, a separable connection between said mem bers, said connection comprising two parts, one having a notch and the other a projection, which, when in full engagement with said notch, permits one of said members to be shifted by the other, means for causing a slight relative movement between said parts of said members during a final movement of the handle in one direction, and means for stopping said relative movementand for holding the parts or" the coupler in positions such that they are biased to separation.

7. In combination with a switch, a switch operating mechanism comprising two members, one connected to the handle and the other to the switch, a separable connection between said members comprising two adjacent rotatably mounted arms connected to the two members respectively, one of said arms having an open notch and the other a device which. is adapted to engage said notch when the handle is moved to one position and to remain in engagement therewith while the switch is being closed by a further o1'25 movement of the handle, and a member for.

causing said device to be moved partially that said device tends to emerge from said slot and. permit the parts ofthe coupler to move relative to each other;

8. In combination with a switch, a

bers, one connected to the handle and the other to the switch, a separable connectionbetween said members comprising two adjacent rotatably mounted arms connected to said members respectively, one arm having.

an open notch and the other a device which is adapted to engage said notch when the handle is moved to one position and to remain in engagement therewith while the switch is being closed by a further move ment of-the handle, a member for causing said device to be moved partially out of said slot during the' final closing movement of the "handle, to' a position such that said device secondshaft connected to the switch, a separable connectionbetween said shafts comprising two adjacent members connected to said shafts respectively, said members being in driving engagement until the switch is tripped, and means for causing a slight relative movement between the parts of said connection during the final closing movement of the handle so that said parts are biased toward separation.

10. Incombination with a switch, a switch operating mechanism comprising ,a rotary handle, a shaft connected to, the handle, a second shaft connected to the switch, a separable connection between said shafts comprising two adjacent members connected to said shafts respectively, said members being in driving engagement when the switch is being closed by a movement ofthe handle,

means for causing a slight relative movement between the parts of said connection during the final closing movement of the handle so that said parts of the connection are biased toward separation, and means for normally preventing disengagement between said parts.

11. In combination with a switch,a switch operating mechanism comprising a handle, two shafts, one connected to the handle and the other to the switch, a separable connection between said shafts, said connection comprising two members, one having an open slot and the other a device which is adapted to extend into-said slot and thereby form thedriving connection between said shafts when the switch is being closed by a movement of the switch in one direction, means for causing a partial movement of switch operating mechanism comprising two memsaid device in the slot during the final closing movement of the handle to a position such that it is biased toward movement out of the slot, and means for normally preventing disengagement between said parts.

12. In combination with a switch, a switch operating mechanism comprising a handle, two shafts, one connected to the handle and the other to the switch, a separable connectidn between said shafts, said connection comprising two members one having an open slot and the other a device which is adapted to extend into said slot and thereby form the driving connection between said shafts when the switch is being closed by. a movement of the switch in one direction,

means for causing a partial movement of said member to a position such that it is biased toward movement out of the slot, and means for holding said parts together and for automatically releasing the same upon the occurrence of a predetermined line condition.

13. In combination with a switch, an operating mechanism therefor comprising an operating handle, a shaft connected to said -treme position in closing the switch, means for causing said device carried by the arm to be moved partially from said slot during the final closing movement of the handle to aposition such that the parts of the coupler are biased toward separation, means for holding the parts against such separation, and means for shifting said holding means so as to permit the switch to be opened.

14. In combination, a switch, an operating mechanism comprising an operating handle, two shafts, one connected to the handle, the other to the switch, a separable couple-r between said shafts, said coupler comprising two members mounted on said two shafts respectively, one of said mem bers having an open notch and the other having pivoted thereto, a spring pressed arm provided with a roller adapted to engage said notch and to remain in engagement therewith during the closing of the switch by a movement of the switch handle in one direction, means for causing said roller to move partially from said notch during the final closing movement of the handle to a position such that it is biased to emerge entirely from the slot, and a member which coupler between said shafts, said coupler, comprising two members mounted on said is engaged by said arm and'normally prevents the roller. from emerging from the slot.

'15 In combination, a switch,an operating mechanism comprising an operating handle, two shafts, one connected to the han-' the and the other to the switch, a separable two shafts respectively, one of said-members having an open notch, and the other havingpivoted thereto, a spring pressed arm provided with a roller adapted to engage said notch, and to remain in engagement therewith during the closing of the switch by a movement of the switch handle in one J direction, means for causing said roller to move partially from said notch during the final closing movement of the handle to a position such that is it biased to emerge from the slot, a pivoted latch which is engaged by said armtand normally prevents said roller-from emerging from the slot, and means for automatically tripping said latch soas to permit the parts of the coupler to separate and the switch to open.

. In testimony whereof I alfix my signature, in the presence of ftwo witnesses.

HERBERT TV. CHENEY. Witnesses:-

H. 0. CASE, CHAS. L. BYRON. 

